Automatic photographing apparatus.



A. LATTAU.

AUTOMATIC PHOTOGRAPHING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED rss. 10, 1908.

1,135,032. Pa n pr. 13, 1915.

%Wwooco THE NORRIS PETEES 6.0.. PHTG-LITHO.. WASHINGmN. D1 C A. LATTAU.

AUTOMATIC PHOTOGRAPHING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION LED FEB. 10. 1908.

A. LATTAU.

AUTOMATIC PHOTOGRAPHING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILE!) FER. O. 1908.

Patented Apr. 13, 1915.

%i tu moco W ttornu, 3

A. LATTAU.

AUTOMATIC PHOTOGRAPHING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. L0. I908.

Patented Apr. 13, 1915.

Ottomt, s

A. LATTAU.

AUTOMATIG PHOTOGRAPHING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 10. 1908.

1,1 35,032. Patented Apr. 1 1

THE NORRIS FETERS ca. PHOTO LITHO.. WASN.NGON. D C

-UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ARTHUR LAT1AU, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

AUT OMATIC PHOTOGRAPHING APPAEAIUS.

Application filed February 10, 1908.

T 5522 207mm it may concern Be it known that I, ARTHUR LATTAU, a eitizen of the United States, residing at NeW York, in the county of NeW York and State of New York, have invented or disco:ered certain new and useful Impromments in Automatic Photographing Apparatus, 01" Which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

lus invention relates to a device for automatically operating the shutter of a photographie camera in the absence of a photographer in order to expose the plate or film within said caxnera at a predetermined time and for a predetermined period.

In Letters Patent No. 1,092,273 granted to me April 7, 191%, I have shown and described an apparatus adapted to exert a pressure on the end of a flexible power transmitter, ordinarily employed to operate a oamera shutter, at a predetermined time in the absence of the operator, for the purpose or operating the shutter to make an exposure at such predetermined time. In the apparatus shoWn in said patent, 110W- erer. it Was possible to exert such pressure a s de time only, and said apparatus Was eore adapted for the purpose of taking tantaneous photographs only, except n u d in connection with a camera shuted to make a longer exposure 01" ,edetermined length upon a single exertion of such pressure. A great many camera shuters as noW constructed, however, re-

.;uire plurality or manipulations in order to make a time exposure. In other Words, said shutters must be operated once to open the shutter at the beginning of the exposure and a second time to close the shutter at the o' tne exposure. The majority of such shutters are operated by the compression of an elastic bnlb, said bulb being compressed once to open the shutter and a second time to close the same.

The objects of my present invention tlrereiore are to produce a device, similar to that shown and described in my prior patent above referred to, which shall be adapted compress the bulb of a photographie shutter or otherwise manipulate said shutter a plurality or times, Which compressions or manipulations Will take place at a prede- Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 13, 1915.

Serial No. 415,139.

termined time and in a predetermined relation to one another, thereby to obtain a time exposure of any desired length, Which ti1ne exposure may be made at any predetermined time in tlie absence of the operator.

To these ends my invention, in its preferred form, comprises a receptacle adapted to receive the end of a flexible power transmitter; a suitable device, herein shown as a plunger, for exerting a pressure on the end of said transmitter; mechanism for operating said plunger, adapted to cause the same to exert a pressure and thereafter to be withdrawn into its initial position; means for restraining said operating mechanism; a plurality of time-controlling mechanisms; and means, independent for its motive power of the time controlling mechanisms and of the plunger operating mechanism, and controlled by both of said time-controlling mechanisms, for releasing said restraining means, thereb; permitting said operating mechanism to actuate said plunger at a plurality of times controlled by said time controlling mechanisms.

In the accompanying drawings, Which illustrate one construction in Which my in vention Ina V be embodied, Figure 1 is a front elevation, and Fig. 9 a rear elevation of my improved device. Fig. 3 is a "l"ClC{ll sectional view thereof taken substantially on the line 33, Fig. 5. Fig. 4: is a similar view taken substantially on the line :l, Fig. Figs. 5, 6 and 7 are horizontal seetional views taken respectively on the lines 55, 6 6 and 77, Fig. a, the spring for holding the time-controlling mechanisms inoperative being omitted in Fig. 5. Fig. 8 is an enlarged detail sectional view taken substantially on the line 88, Fig. 6.

In the drawing parts which correspond t0 similar parts in the device shown in my prier patent, above referred to, are designated by reference characters similar to those employed to designate the same parts in my said application although many of these parts Will preferably be somewhat changed or modified in form in order to adapt the same more particularly to the de vice herein shown and described.

The operating mechanism of my device is inclosed within a suitable casing 12, and the moving parts thereof are supported by said casing and by a suitable rame, generically indicated by the numeral 120, within said casing. The casing 12 preferably comprises a bottom plate 26, a front plate 27, a bac]:- plate 28 and a preferably removable hood or cover plate 29. The casing 12 is preferably provided at its top with a pair of rings 22 adapted to receive suitable chains or corcls by which the device may be suspended from a bracket similar to that shown and described in my application above referred to.

The apparatus as a whole is preferably cperatively connected With the shutter mochanism of the camera by a flexible power transmitter, herein shown as the usual rubber tube terminating in a bulb which is received in a suitable receptacle, herein shown as a dravver 13, said drawer comprising a front plate 30 provided with a knob or handle 31, a bulb-retaining plate 32, a pluralit of guide rods 33, and a bottom-plate 31 provided with a suitable spring 35 adapted to contact with a fixed part of the casing or frame and to guide said drawer in its movements and hold the same in properly adjusted position. The construction of the drawer 13 may be substantially the same as that of the correspondingdrawer shown in my prior application abov referred to, but is preferably arranged at the side of the casing, the rods 33 being guided in a suitable plate 73 constructed separate from the hood or cover 29 and provided with an opening through Which the bulb-compressing plunger, hereinafter described, may operate.

The mechanism for compressing the bulb is preferably substantially as follows: Mounted to slide in suitable fixed guides 36 is a preferably tubular plunger 37 provided with a bulb-engaging knob orhead 38. Suitably pivoted at 77 to said plunger 37 is a connecting rod or pitman 7 4: made adjustable in length by means of a suitable turn-buckle or other device 7 5,whereby the stroke of said plunger may be adjusted to accommodate the same to the dimensions of the bulb, said turn-buckle 7 5 being accessible for purposes of adjustment through a suitable opening in the bottom plate 26, said opening being normally closed-by a removable plate 76. At its end opposite to the pivot 77, the pitman 74 is pivoted, at 78, t0 a lever 7 9 pivoted at 80 to a suitable trame 81 rigidly secured to the casing, said lever 79 being pivotally connected at its opposite end to a link 82 pivoted, at 83, to a second lever 84: also pivoted, at 85 to said rame 81. Mounted to turn upon suitable fixed bearings provided within able spring 121 is' interposed between the plunger 37 and its guide 36; said spring being secured at its ends, by suitable studs or other devices 122, to brackets 123 and 121 secured respectively to the guide 36 and plunger 37.

It Will now be seen that each complete rotatiori of the shaft 86 Will cause a reciprocating movement of the plunger 37, thereby compressing the bulb and thereafter withdrawing the bulo compressing knob or head 38. By means of the mechanism comprising the levers 79 and 81 and the link 82 the slight reciprocating movement imparted to the eccentric strap 88 is converted into a greater movement of the plunger 37 the object of this arrangement being to produce the desired amount of movement of the plumger 37 by mechanism occupying the least possible amount of space.

Suitable means are provided for turning the shaft 86 said means, as herein shown, ccmprising a fiat helical spiral or clock spring 90 suitably secured to a fixed part of the framework and to the shaft 86. Suitable means are provided for winding up said spring 90, said means preferably comprising a gear 91 secured to the lower end of the shaft 86 and coperating with a. gear 92 adapted to be turned by a suitable key or handle 93 arranged beneath the casing 12.

During the process of winding up, the spring 90 is loaded with a certain amount of energy. When the spring is released this energy is liberated. The part of this energy which is liberated during the first half of the rotation or" the shat 86 is used to compress the bulb, the part however liberated during the second half of the rotation oi the shaft 86 goes to waste, or rather is consumed ,by ar when the plonger reaches the limit of its rearward movement and is stopped by mechanism hereinafter described. The additional spring 121, however, Will add to the energy of the spring 90 during the first*half of the rotation of the shaft 86 when the bulb is being compressed and will consume part of the energy of this spring during the second half of the rotation of the shaft 86 and thus moderate the jar between the parts tending to stop the shaft and plunger.

In order to look the shaft 86 against movement under the influence of the spring 90, until the proper time for the compression of the bulle, the following mechanism is provided. Secured to the upper end of the shaft 86 is a ratchet segment 94 provided with a plurality of ratchet teeth 95, 96, 97, respectively. ranged in difierent planes one above the other, the tooth 95 being the highest and the tooth 97 the lowest. Pivoted at 98 to a suitable part of the casing or frame is a lever 99 provided at its end with a pivoted pawl 100 normally held in engagement With one Said ratchet teeth are ar of the teeth on the ratchet segment 94 by means of a suitable spring 101. The faces of the teeth 95, 96 and 97, or that of the pawl 100, or both, are preferably beveled or arranged at an inclination to the direction of movement of said paWl on the principle of the inclined plane to facilitate the release of said teeth by said pawl as hereinafter described.

Pivoted at 102 to the lever 99 is a link 103, pivoted at its opposite end t0 a lever 49, suitably pivoted at to the casing or trame, said lever being provided at its end opposite to the pivot 50 with a suitable operating rod 51 provided at its outer end with a knob 52, whereby said lever 49 may be depressed in opposition to a suitable spring 46 tending normally to elevate the same. The lever 49 i provided With two upwardly extending arms or fingers 104, 105, respectively, said fingers being preferably provided at their upper ends with suitable rollers 53 and 530. The arm or finger 104 is adapted to contact at its upper end with a substantially circular cam 54 provided with a notch or recess 55 adapted to receive the end of said finger 104, and with a projecting stop 56 adapted to limit the turning of said cam by contacting with said finger 104. The finger 105 is adapted to contact with a circular cam 540, similar to the cam 54, and provided with a recess 550 adapted to receive the end of said finger 105 and with a stop or projection 560 adapted to contact with a fixed stop 106 for the pnrpose of limiting turning movement of said cam 540. The relative lengths of the fingers 104, 105, the depths of the recesses 55 and 550, and the size and arrangement of the lever 49 and the parts controlled thereby, are such that When the finger 104 is in contact with the periphery of the cam 54, as shown in Fig. 3, the finger 105 will be out of contact with the periphery of the cam 540, and the paWl 100 Will be at a proper elevation to engage the tooth 95; While if the cam 54 be turned into such et position that the finger 104 enters the recess 55, said finger 105 Will be brought into contact with the periphery of the cam 540, at which time the pawl 100 Will be at a proper elevation t0 engage the tooth 96, said recess 55, however, being of such a depth as to permit additional npward movement of the lever 49, under the influence of the spring 46, when the cam 540 is turned to bring the recess 550 into a posi tion to receive the finger 105, thereby bringing the pawl 100 to a proper elevation t0 en gage the tooth 97.

Snitable independent time controlling mechanisms are provided for turning the cams 54 and 540, said mechanisms prefer ably and as herein shown comprising tvvo independent clock-works generically indicated in Fig. 4 by the numerals 58 and 580 respectively. Said clock-works are provided With the usual winding posts and 600, respectively, npon which are monnted the cams 54 and 540, and provided at the exterior of the casing 12 with snitable pointers 68 and 680 adapted to coperate Wltl1 suitable dials 67 and 67 0 gradnated to indicatc seconds or other divisions of time. The cams 54 and 540 and pointers 68 and 680 are so positioned relative to the posts 60 and 600, fingers 104 and 105, and dials 67 and 670 that when the recesses 55 and 550 are opposite the fingers 104 and 105 the pointers 68 and 680 Will respectively indicate zero npon the dials 67 and 670. The clock works 58 and 580, cams 54 and 540, pointers 68 and 680 and dials 67 and 670 may each be substantially similar to the clock-work, cam, pointer, and dial shown in my prior application above referred to and snbstantially similar to one another, with the exception that the clockwork 580 may be, if desired, and preferably is so designed and arranged as to be capable of rnnning for a greater length of time than the corresponding clockwork 58, the dial 67 0 being correspondingly graduated. 1\eans are provided for turning the winding posts 60 and 600 to bring the cams 54 and 540 into any predetermined initial position, indicated upon the dials 67 and 670, and at the same time to wind up the main springs 59 and 590 of the clockworks, said means as herein shown comprising suitable keys 61 and 610 secnred to the winding posts 60 and 600. The positions into which the cams 54 and 540 are initially turned by the keys 61 and 610 Will determine the times which must elapse, after starting the clockworks, before the recesses and 550 are brought opposite the fingers 104 and 105 respectivelv, and these times will be respectively indicated upon the dials 67 and 670.

For reasons that Wlli hereinafter appear it is necessary tliat the two clock-works 58 and 580 be started at precisely the saine instant. To this end means are provided for restraining the operation of these clochworks and for simultaneously releasing them, said 1neans, as herein shown, comprising a fiat spring 69 snitably secnred at its conter to a fixed part of the frame, and engaging at its free ends snitable moving parts of each of said clock-works, preferablv the vibrating 1nembors 66 and 660 forming part of the escapement mechanisms of said clockworks. In order to raise the tvro ends of the spring 69 simultaneouslv, ca1ns 70 and 700 are provided, said ca1ns ling mounted on stud shafts 106, 107 carr ving respectively gears 108, 109, eacl1 engaging an intermodiate gear 110 mounted upon a stud shaft 112 provided at the exterior of the casing with a suitable kev or other device 72. As will now be seen turning of the key 72 Wlll result in the simultaneous turning of the r ing the camera shutter.

ca1ns 70 and 700 and a simultaneous release of the two clock-works.

The operation ofthe mechanism above described is as follows: The operator by turning the key 61 W111 move the pointer 68 t0 indicate upon the dial 67 the time which he wishes to elapse before the eXposure is made. He then turns the key 610 to cause the pointer 680 to indicate upon the dial 670 a time greater than the time indicated on the dial 67 by the number of seconds representing the length of the exposure which he wishes to have made. For example, if he wishes the exposure to commence eighteen seconds after starting the mechanism, and wishes the exposure to be of two seconds duration, the pointer 68 W111 be set to indi cate 18 seconds and the pointer 680 to indi cate 20 seconds. The parts now being in the relative positions shown in Fig. 3 the mech anism is started by giving the key 72 substantially a quarter turn. The two clochworks 58 and 580 W111 now commence to turn the cams-54 and 540, and at the 'end of eighteen seconds the recess 55 W111 be brought opposite the finger 104. The lever 49, under the influence of the spring 46, W111 now be moved upwardly until the finger 105 contacts with the periphery of the cam 540. As a consequence of this movement the link 103 is moved upwardly, the lever 99 tilted slightly, and the paw1 100 depressed sufliciently' to rclease the tooth 95 on the segment 94, thus permitting the spring 90 to turn the shaft 86 substantiallv one complete rotation, or until the tooth 96 on the segment 94 comes into contact with the paw1 100. During this rotation the plunger 37 W111 be given one complete reciprocation and the bulb will be compressed once, thus open- At the end of twenty seconds the recess 550 of the cam 540 will'be brought opposite the finger 105, and

the lever 49 W111 be again moved upwardly under the influence of its spring 46, the depth 011 the recess 55 in cam 54 being suflicient to permit of this additional movement. The paW1 100 carried by the lever 99 W111 now be depressed an additiona1 amount, thus releasing the tooth 96 and permitting the shaft 86 to make another substantially complets rotation, or until the tooth 97 comes into contact With the pawl 100. This rotation of the shaft 86 causes a second reciprocation of the plunger 37 and a second compressing of the bulb, thus closing the camera shutter which has remained open for two seconds, the difierence between eighteen seconds and twenty seconds. T lie entry of the fingers 104 and 105 into the recesses 55 and 550 causes the immediate discontinuation of the movement of the ca1ns and 540, respectively, and consequently of the corresponding clockworks. These clockwvorks are therefore autofingers 104 and 105 from the corresponding recesses in the carns 54 and 540, and with the other hand winds up the spring 90 by means of the crank or key 93. 1Vithout releasing the knob 52, the key 61 is now given a s1ight turn suflicient to remove the recess 55 from the path of the finger 104 and the parts W111 be locked in set position, ready for a new setting of the cams 54 and 540 in accordance with the exposure next to be made.

From the foregoing it W111 be seen that I have provided an apparatus which Will operate reliably to impaft to a shutter-actuating mechanism a plurality of impulses which may be made to bear substantially any predetermined timed relation to one another and to the time of starting of the apparatus.

The mechanism for compressing the bulb is entirely independent, for its actuating force, of the clockworks, the springs 90, 121, and 46 being made as stron as may be necessary for the efficient operation of the device, while the clockworks may be made as reliable in their operation as those of an ordinary time-piece, as the only work which they are called upon to. perform is the turning of the cams 54 and 540 which ofi'er 1ittle resistance by virtue of their substantially circular form.

1Vhi1e I, in order that my invention may be readily understood, have shown and described the same as embodied in a particular construction, I wish it to be distirictly understood that I do not limit myself to the precise construction shown, it being obvious that many changes might be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention.

Having thus described my invention what I c1ai1n and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. A device for automatically operating a photographie ca1nera, comprising, in combination, means for compressing a shutter bu1b, actuating means therefor adapted to cause said compressing means to impart to said bulb a plurality of successive compressions, and mechanism for controlling the time of said compressions and the interval therebetween, thereby determining the time and duration of the exposure.

2. A device for automatieally operating a photographie came1a oomprising, in combination means for holding a flexible power transmitter, means for operating upon said transmitter to operate the camera shutter, aotuating means adapted to cause said operating means to perform a plurality cf successive operations for opening and closing said shutter, and clookwork mechanism for oontmlling the t-ime of said operations and the interval therebetween. thereby determining the time and duration of the exposure.

3. A device for automatiealIy operating a photographie camera comprising, in combination, means for holding a shutter bulb, a member for compressing said bulb, actuating means adapted to cause said member t0 impart to said bulb a plurality of successive compressions, and mechanism for controlling the time of said compressions and the interval therebetween, thereby determining the time and duration of the exposure.

4:. In a deviee of the eharacter described, the combination With a member for operating the shutter of a phoographio camera and means for actuating said member pro vided With a. plurality cf stops, of a restraining devioe, time controHing mechanism, automatio means controlled by said aime controlling mechanism for moving said 1estraining devioe into positions t0 engage said stops successively, and loeking meohanisn1 for said time controlling meehanism.

5. In a deviee of the charaeter described, the eombination with means for operating the shutter of a photographie camera, of a plurality 0f time-controlling mechanisms each adapted to contml the operation of said operating means, means for restraining the operation of said time-controfling mechanisms and means for simulaneomsly releasing said mechanisms.

6. In a devise of the charaoter described, the combination With member for actuating the shntter operating means of a photographie camera, and means for restraining said member, of a plurali;y cf time-controlling mechanisms each adapted to control said restraining means.

7. In a devioe of the charaoter desoribed, the combination with means loi holding the end of a flexible power trausmitcer, a plunger for operating upon said transmitter, a shait, and means for rotating said shaft, of means intermediate said shaft and plunger whereby said plunge1 is operated when said shaft is rotated, and constructed and a1- ranged to permit said shaft to rotate a plurality 01" times, timc-controlhng meohanism for controlling a pluralitv 0f successive operations of said shaft, and locking meohanism for said time controlling meehanism.

8. In a device of the character described, the combination with means for holding the end of a flexible power transmitter, a plumger for operating upon said transmitter, a shaft, and means for rotating said shaft, of means intemnediate said shaft and plunger whereby said plunger is operated when said shaft is 1otated, tin1e controiling meohaniszn for controlling said shaft, and loeking meehanism for said time controIling mechanism.

9. In a deviee of the character described,

the comhination with means for compressing the bulh of a came1a shutter and means for aetuating said compressing means, of means for restraining said actuating means, and a plurality 0f timecontroihng 1neohanisms each adapted to control said restraining means.

10. In a device of the charactezdescribed, the combination With means for holding a flexible poWe1 transmitter and a reciprocatory plunger adapted to operate upon said transmicter, of means for reeiprocating said plunger, means for restraining said reciprocating means, means for withdrawing said restraining means, and a plurality of timecontroHed devices each adapted to control said WithdraWing means.

11. In a deviee of the character described, the comhination with means for operating the shutrer of a photographie camera, means for restraining said operating means, and 1neans tending normally t0 withdrau said restraining means, of a pluraliny of timecontrolling mechanisms, a cam operated by ach of said mechanisms, and means controlled by said ca1ns for holding said restraining means in operatire position and for releasing the same at a predetermined time.

12. In a device for automatioally operating a photographie camera, in combination, means for holding the end of a flexible power transmitter, means for opening the camera shutter by acting on the end of said power transmitter, meehanism fox controlling the time of operation of said opening means including a resraining device adapted for movement into and out of engagement With said shuter opening means, said shutter opening means and said restraining deviee being provided with interengaging surfaces one of which is arranged at an inclination to the direction cf movement of said restraining device on the principle of the inclined plane to facilitate the release of said shutter opening means by said restraining device.

13. In a de *ice of the character described, in combination, stationary means for holding the end of a flexible power transmitter, a plunger, an actuator for advancing said plunger to act upon the end of said transmitter and for thereafter withdrawing the same, means Wnereb the forWard limit of movement of said plunger is rendered Variable, and time eontrolling meehanism for controlling said actuator.

14. In a deviee of the eharacter described, in eombination, stationary means for holding the end of a flexible povver transmitter, a plunger, a rotary shaft, a spring for turning said shaft, meehanism for transforming rotary movement of the said shaft into a reciproeatory movement of said plunger, said mechanism including a conneeting rod and means for adjusting the length of said rod, and time eontrolling meehanism for controlling the operation of said shaftt.

15. In a deviee of the eharaeter desCribed, the combination with means for holding the end of a flexible power transmitter and a plunger adapted to exert a pressure upon said transmitter, of a spring for actuating said plunger and a plurality of time-controlling mechanisms each adapted to permit said spring to operate at a predetermined time.

16. In a device of the charaeter described, the eombination with a plunger and mechanis1n for operating said plunger, of a ratchet segment operatively connected to said operating mechanism and provided with a plurality of teeth, a lever, and automatic time-eontrolled means for moving said lever into positions to engage said teeth suceessively.

17. In a device of the character described, the eombination with a plunger and mechanism for operating said plunger, of a ratehet segment operatively connected to said oper ating meehanism and provided with a plurality of teeth, located in diflerent planes, a lever, and automatie time-controlled means for moving said lever adapted to cause the same to engage said teeth suceessively.

' 18. In a deviee of the charaeter deseribed, the combinaton with means for operating the shutter of a photographie eamera, of a plurality of time-eontrolling mechanisms, a cam rotated by eaeh of said meehanisms, a lever controlled bv both of said canis, and means operated by said lever for controlling said shutter-operating means.

19. In a deviee of the character described, the eombination with a member for compressing the bulb of a eamera shutter and an actuator l'or said member, of a plurality of tn1e controlling meehanisms adapted sueeessively to look said member and aetuator against operation and to release the same at predetermined cimes.

20. In a device of the character deseribed, the eombination With a plunger, of a rotary actuator, means operated by said aetuator for reciproeating said plunger, a spring for turning said actuator, mechanism for controlling the time of operation of said spring, and an additional spring for aceelerating the action of said first-named spring during the first half of the rotation of said aetuator and for retarding said action during the second half of said rotation.

21. In a deviee of the eharaeter described, the eombination'withmeans for actuating the shutter of a photographie camera and a flexible power transmitter connecting said actuating 1neans and shutter, of a plurality of cloek-Works, means controlled by both of said clockworks for controlling said actuating means, and means for loeking each of said clockworks.

22. In a device 01'' the character described, the eombination with means for operating the shutter of a photographie eamera, of a plurality of cloekworks each adapted to control the operation of said operating means, means for restraining the operation of said eloekworks, and means for simultaneously releasing said clockworks.

28. In a deviee of the charaeter deseribed, the eombination with means for actuating the shutter operating means of a photographie camera, of a plurality of time-eontrolling meehanisms eaeh adapted to control the operation of said actuating means, means for setting said timecontrolling mechanisms, and means for holding said ti1neeontrolling mechanisms inoPerative after being set. r

24:. In a device of the charaeter deseribed, the eombination with means for actuating the shutter operating means of a photographie camera, of a plurality of elockworks eaeh adapted to control the operation of said actuating means, means for setting said elockworks, and means for holding said eloekworks inoperative after being Set.

25. In a device for automatically operating a photographie camera, the combination with means for opening the camera shutter and flexible means connecting said shutter opening means and shutter, of meehanism for eontrolling the time of operation of said shutter opening means including a restrain ing device adapted for movement into and out of engagement with said shutter opening means, said shutter opening means and said restraining device being provided with interengaging surfaces arranged at an inclination to the plane of movement of said restraining device.

26. In a device 0]: the character described, in eombination, means for holding the end of a flexible poWer transmitter, a plunger for eXerting a pressure on said transmitter, a shaft and connections for actuating said plunger, a spring for turning said shaft, a stop on said shaft to restrain its movement, a time-eontrolling mechanism, means intermediate said stop and said cime controlling mechanism for releasing said shaft to cause said plunger to be operated, a second stop on said shaft to intercept its movement after the operation of said plunger, a second timecontrolling mechanism, and meanS intermodiate said lastnamed stop and time-controlling mechanism to release said shaft a second time to cause the plunger to make a second operation.

27. In a device of the character described, in combination, means for holding the end of a flexible power transmitter, a plunger for exerting a pressure on said transmitter, a shaft and connections for actuating said plunger, a spring for turning said shaft, a stop on said shaft to restrain its movement, a time-controlling mechanism, means for locking said timecontrolling mechanism, 1neans intermediate said stop and said timocontrolling mechanism for releasing said shaft to cause said plunger to be operated, a second stop on said shaft to intercept its movement after the operation of said plumger, a second timecontrolling mechanism, means for locking said last-named time-controlling mechanism, and means intermediate said last-named stop and time-controlling mechanism to release said shaft a second time to cause the plunger to make a second operation.

28. In a device of the character described, the combination With means for operating a camera shutter, of means for restraining said operating means, a clockwork for controlling said restraining means, means for simultaneously releasing said operating means and causing the discontinuation of the movement of said clockwork, a second clockwork for controlling said restraining 1neans, and means for simultaneously releasing said operating means a second time and oausing the discontinuation of the movement of said second clockwork.

29. In a device of the character described, the combination with means for compressing the bulb of a camera shutter, of means for restraining said bulb compressing means, a clocxwork and an element moving with said clockwork for retaining said restraining 1neans in operative position and releasing the saine at a predetermined time, a second clockwork and a second element moving therewith for again retaining said restraining means in a second position and for releasing the same at a predetermined time.

30. In a device of the character described, the combination with means for operating a camera shutter,of means for restraining said operating means, a time-controlling mechanism and an element moving therewith for retaining said restraining means in operative position and releasing the same at a predetermines time, a second time-controlling mechanism and a second element 1110 'iiig therewith for again retaining said restraining means in a second position and for releasing the same at a predetermined time, and means for locking said time-controlling mechanisms.

31. In a device of the character described, in combination, means for operating the shutter of a photographie camera, means for actuating said operating means, means for restraining said actuating means, a plurality of timecontrolling mechanisms and an clement moving with eaoh of said mechanisms for successively holding said restraining means against movement in a plurality of positions and for releasing the same successively at predetermined tin1es.

32. In a device for automatically opening and closing the shutter of a photographic camera at predetermined times, in combination, means for holding the end of a flexible 30 power transmitter communicating With said shutter, means for operating upon said transmitter, a clockwork for controlling the operation of said operating means to open said shutter, a continuous series of interengaging 5 members intermediate said clocl:work and said operating means, said members being interengaged during the entire period of movement of said clockwork, and means for controlling the second operation of said op- 9o: erating means to close said shutter.

33. In a device for automatically opening and closing the shutter of a photographie camera at predetermined times, in; combination, means for holding the end of a flexible power transmitter communicating with said shutter, means for operating upon said transmitter, a time-controlling 1nechanism for controlling the operation of said operating means to open said shutter, means for locking said time controlling niecha nism, a continuous series of interengaging members intermediate said time controlling mechanism and said operating means, said members being interengaged during the entire period of movement of said time-controlling mechanism, and means for controlling the second operation of said operating means to close said shutter.

34:. A device for automatically operating a photographie camera comprising, in combination, means for holding a flexible power transmitter, means for operating upon said transmitter to operate the camera shutter, actuating means adapted to cause said operating nieans to perform a plurality of successive operations for opening and closing said shutter, clockwork mechanismior controlling the time of said operations and the interval therebetween, thereby determining the time and duration of the exposure, and locking mechanisn1 for said clockwork mochanism.

35. A device for automatically operating a photographie camera comprising, in comoination, means for holding a flexible power transmitter, means for operating upon said transmitter to operate the camera shutter, actuating means adapted to cause said operating means to perform a plurality of 1 0 successive operations for opening and clos- In testimony Where0f I afiX my signaing said shutter, clockwork mechansm for tare, in presence of two witnesses controlling the time of said operations and the interval therebecween, thereby determning the time and dumtion of the exposure, lockng mechanism fol said clock- Vitnesses: WOIk mechanism, and means for manually JAMES BARKER, releasing said clockwork mechanism. REX H. BELL.

ARTHUR LATTAU.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patnts,

Washington, 1). G. 

